Northwest FBI field offices offer reward for information on substation shootings

The FBI’s Northwest field offices in Portland and Seattle announced Thursday they will be offering a $25,000 reward for information on the individual or individuals responsible for vandalizing electrical substations.

On Nov. 22, Puget Sound Energy discovered fluid leaking on the ground near the radiator of one of the transformers at the Barneslake Substation in Tumwater, Washington. Investigations determined the substation had been punctured multiple times, causing the substation to go offline for several hours, causing 5,200 customers to lose power. Subsequently, three 9mm shell casings were located nearby.

Two days later, on Nov. 24, the Bonneville Power Administration Ostrander Substation in Oregon City, Oregon, officials found several reactors had been shot. Investigators also found a hole had been cut in the perimeter fence of the substation’s yard.

“Attacks on power grid substations have gripped our nation’s attention in recent months because of the devastating threat they pose to our infrastructure,” Kieran L. Ramsey, special agent in charge of the FBI Portland Field Office, said. “Entire communities—hospitals, schools, and local businesses—might conceivably be incapacitated for many days. The FBI continues to work diligently not only to identify and arrest those responsible for these wanton acts but also to disrupt any future criminal plots which might wreak even greater havoc to our community.”

Ramsey said that while the motive for the attacks is unclear, the resulting power outages and catastrophic potential are reasons for making the identification and arrest a top priority for law enforcement.

“Interfering or tampering with our power grid can have deadly consequences,” Richard A. Collodi, special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle Field Office, said. “An attack like this is not just an inconvenience for home and business owners, think of medical facilities or vulnerable people who depend on electricity for their health. It’s our hope that by attaching a reward offer, someone who has that missing piece of information we need may be enticed to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)tips.fbi.gov or to submit a tip online tips.fbi.gov.